TERMS OF REFERENCE, CONSULTANCY: 'RESEARCH ON THE INTEGRITY OF POLITICAL FINANCE IN AFRICA'

GENERAL INFORMATION

Title of consultancy: Research on the integrity of political finance in Africa

Application closing date: 11 September 2026

Location: Remote/home-based

1. BACKGROUND

Transparency International (TI) is the global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption. Through more than 100 chapters worldwide and an international secretariat in Berlin, Germany, TI raises awareness on and tackles the damaging effects of corruption alongside champions from government, business, and civil society.

TI is seeking a qualified expert, or a team of qualified experts, with demonstrated expertise in the financing of political parties, candidates, and election campaigns in Africa. The expert(s)'s work will inform TI's contribution to the African Union (AU) efforts to introduce Guidelines and a Model Law to support implementation of Article 10 of the AU Convention on Preventing and Combatting Corruption (AUCPCC).

The expert(s) will primarily (i) support data collection and analysis to inform a regional assessment of political finance in Africa; (ii) conduct a mapping of public institutions, organisations and groups with influence over political finance standard-setting and reform in the region; and, (iii) upon request, provide technical advice to inform TI's engagement with AU processes related to political finance.

The assessment will analyse both the quality of regulatory frameworks and their implementation in practice in 16 countries across Central, Eastern, North, Southern and West Africa, drawing on a methodology developed by TI (details below). The expert(s) will provide technical expertise to support chapter-led data collection, analyse the data collected and undertake additional research where necessary.

To support the assessment, TI has updated, in consultation with stakeholders from different regions, a methodology known as CRINIS or NURU. A prior version of the methodology supported assessments of political finance in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2005 (here, here), Asia in 2009, Southern Africa in 2010, and the Balkans in 2011. The updated CRINIS / NURU (II) expands its scope beyond the principle of transparency in political finance to also cover clean money (or prevention of illicit funding or funding carrying conflicts of interests), state neutrality, and oversight, which are at the centre of UNCAC CoSP Resolution 11/7, as well as level playing field and gender equality. CRINIS / NURU (II) is supported by a web-based tool to facilitate data collection and consolidation.

2. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENTS

The assignments seek to inform TI's advocacy efforts to accelerate the implementation of AUCPCC Art. 10 and UNCAC Art 7.3 along CoSP Resolution 11/7, in order to prevent and combat undue influence through money in politics at both regional and country levels across the continent.

3. SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENTS

The assignments comprise the following tasks:

3.1 Baseline assessment:

a. Customisation: To ensure the suitability of the questionnaire and the survey tool to enhance their relevance to the regional context, as appropriate, in agreement with TI and taking into account further views from other stakeholders such as members of the Community of Practice on Money in Politics in Africa, the AU Advisory Board against Corruption, International IDEA, UNODC, IFES, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), and others suggested by the expert. This may include adapting, removing, making certain questions conditional, or proposing a limited number of additional questions.
b. Data collection: To support TI National Chapters by providing advice and coordination through

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data collection process, ensuring methodological coherence, high-quality data, and adherence to ethical research practices. In most countries, TI chapters are expected to carry out the data collection at national level at national level.

c. Quality control and additional research: To ensure data reliability and consistency by cross-checking data submitted by TI National Chapters with that of different sources, including but not limited to reports by international and national election observation groups, International IDEA's Political Finance Database, WFD's Cost of Politics reports, and other relevant sources.

d. Data consolidation and analysis: To lead the consolidation of data and supporting evidence collected into a single database (using the survey tool provided by TI) and the analysis of the dataset, to identify key findings and regional trends that will be shared with relevant stakeholders, including the AUABC, as appropriate.

e. Presentation of findings: To discuss and present the results of the research to members of the TI movement, oversight agencies and other stakeholders from across the region.

Countries tentatively selected for this assessment are Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia and Seychelles. TI has presence in all countries apart from Cabo Verde. The expert(s) is(are) expected to fill in any data collection gaps.

In carrying out the above tasks, the expert or team of experts must take into consideration the following regional and global instruments:

  • The AU Convention on Preventing and Combatting Corruption, and related guidelines.
  • The African Charter on Democracy Elections and Governance in Africa, and related guidelines.
  • Resolution 11/7 on Preventing and combating corruption through enhancing transparency in the funding of political parties, candidatures for elected public office and electoral campaigns adopted by the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention Against Corruption's
  • TI's 'Standards for integrity in political finance: A global policy position'.
  • The Accra Declaration on the Regulation of Political Finance to Advance Democratic Integrity in Africa
  • Reports from anticorruption review mechanisms and credible international election observation missions (IEOM) and domestic election observers.
  • Others as suggested by TI and other consulted stakeholders.

3.2 Stakeholder mapping:

a. Identification: To identify relevant public institutions, organisations and groups with influence over political finance standard-setting and reform in the continent.

b. Analysis: For each stakeholder, to provide a brief profile, including an analysis of their interests and level of influence.

3.3 Technical advice (upon request):

a. General support: contribute to TI's advocacy with the AU efforts to introduce Guidelines and a Model Law to support implementation of Article 10 of the AUCPCC, by providing technical advice, briefings and other assistance as required.

4. DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE

Between September 14 and October 26, the expert or team of experts is expected to deliver the following seven deliverables:

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Expert(s) may propose a workplan with different dates for any deliverable, except for deliverables (v), (vii) and (ix). Any other adjustment can be discussed between TI and the selected expert(s) to ensure mutual clarity on expectations and feasibility. The expert(s) must provide regular updates and, where necessary, upon request from TI.

To facilitate the review of the workplan, TI will make the draft CRINIS / NURU (II) methodology available to interested applicants upon request at cme-tender@transparency.org.

All deliverables are to be submitted in English, in electronic form, in accordance with the deadlines stipulated above and/or the workplan. The expert or team of experts is responsible for editing and quality control of language. TI retains the sole rights with respect to all distribution, dissemination, and publication of the deliverables.

5. SELECTION CRITERIA

The expert(s) should have the following qualifications:

  • A postgraduate degree in social sciences or a field related to the goals of the assignment;
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in issues related to political finance from an anti-corruption angle, at least five of them in Africa (relevant);
  • Substantive experience in delivering technical assistance to election stakeholders, including to election management bodies, legislatures, electoral observation groups and similar in Africa;
  • Experience working with international election assistance or election observation organisations in Africa is desirable;
  • Substantive practical knowledge of political party and candidate reporting requirements, the development of web-based or electronic systems to implement such requirements; audit and verification mechanisms by election management bodies or political finance oversight bodies; and the disclosure platforms targeting the general public, media organisations and other watchdogs from society and government;
  • Familiarity with a variety of research methodologies and proven experience in applying them for policy purposes in a variety of contexts;
  • Experience of working with clients in advocacy-oriented civil society groups and government agencies from the African region;

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• Fluency in English and proficiency in French, written and oral.

6. REMUNERATION AND COSTS

Applicants should provide their estimated total fee as a lump sum or as a standard daily rate. The maximum available budget for this assignment is EUR 17,000 VAT included, if applicable.

Payment will be made upon satisfactory completion and acceptance of the deliverables. Payment will be processed following receipt of an invoice from the Expert(s). The Expert or Team of Experts is responsible for all applicable taxes, social security contributions, and other statutory obligations related to the consultancy in their country of residence. No additional costs (such as travel, accommodation, or administrative expenses) will be reimbursed unless explicitly agreed in writing in advance by TI-S.

For candidates based in the EU, EEA, UK, and Switzerland

Transparency International e.V. (Secretariat), (TI-S) is registered as a Business Entity in Germany with VAT identification number DE273612486. EU reverse charge applies. Service providers should issue invoices with zero VAT. Candidates who are based in Germany and do not charge German VAT must confirm their small entrepreneur status.

7. HOW TO APPLY

The application should include the following documents:

  1. Motivation letter indicating relevant experience in political finance in the Africa region, with a note regarding availability for the duration of the assignments and any other consideration regarding the approach to the assignment.
  2. Curriculum Vitae of expert(s) or Consultancy profile as well as a sample of relevant previous work (confidentiality guaranteed)

Please indicate 'Integrity of Political Finance in Africa' in the subject line of your email application. Applications should be sent in English by email to cme-tender@transparency.org by close of business of 11 September 2026. Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted on a rolling basis. We therefore encourage interested applicants to apply as early as possible.

Data protection

When you respond to this tender and submit your application, you provide consent that Transparency International e. V. keeps your application materials for the period of ten years according to German legal requirements. Afterwards Transparency International will delete your application and any personal data included in it. If you have any questions, please reach out to dataprotection@transparency.org

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